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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Once a Year

One Day by David NichollsThere's been a lot of hype about this book lately, especially since they're in the middle of filming the movie. And once I had a basic idea of the book's plot I knew I had to read it.

The one day, in the book is July 15. That is the first day Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew meet, after college graduation in 1988. Each following chapter is told the next year on the same day all through 2007. Basically we've given a snapshot of how Emma's and Dexter's relationship evolves throughout the years.

I was really curious how the unconventional storytelling would work out. I was a little afraid that somehow it would feel like I was missing something, but only seeing this single day. And while it was true that some chapters ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, never did I feel like vital information was left out. I do think that the way the story is told turned this from a good book to a great book.

One thing about the way it was written is that I kept waiting for something awful to happen. Throughout the book it feels like you reading the tale of star-crossed lovers, so really it shouldn't come as a surprise when or if something tragic happens. And yet... Well I'll just leave it as that.

So yes, the book is worth all the hype. I can't wait to see the movie, and yet I'm still skeptical how they're going to be able to pull this off in movie form. But it's something I can't wait to experience.